Nobody beats Robin Soderling 12 times in a row.

I have a love/hate relationship with grass court tennis, and this match reminded me of everything I hate about it – watching serve after serve whizz past. Yawn. The only thing that made it a more interesting was how tight the match was.

Interestingly enough, Robin Soderling hasn’t lost a match to anyone not named Roger Federer since May (Madrid, Roland Garros, Wimbledon). He certainly took it to Federer today. Much better than his last two losses against Roger. It’s the first time this tournament that I’ve seen Federer play so defensively on his returns. Credit to Soderling’s serving of course, but I just can’t help but think that this is excellent practice for the Fed when he goes into his next round match against Karlovic/Verdasco. Both guys have been ace machines out there this tournament.

Sick of another ace whizzing past? or are you just doing your sex face?

Soderling played some amazing tennis, remained aggressive and competitive throughout the match, and still lost in straight sets. That’s something.

8 unforced errors by Federer over 3 sets. That’s also something.

The first time in 4 grand slams where Federer hasn’t been taken to five sets, that is something else.

The Military Jacket gets ditched for his practice jacket.
The man’s fickle! REUTERS/Toby Melville

Nobody beats Robin Soderling 11 times in a row, except Roger Federer.

Return of the monkey face
Err ..top button dude: AP Photo/Sang Tan

Are we sure she’s only got one in there?
CARL DE SOUZA/AFP/Getty Images